I Miss My Sweetheart

Justin's family came into town Thursday afternoon. They all left yesterday to visit family in Vegas. I couldn't go because of work. This is the first time I've been apart from Justin at night since we've been married. He'll be back Sunday afternoon. I cried last night. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. I didn't realize how much I love him and miss him until I came home and he wasn't there to greet me with a hug and kiss and cuddle with me at night. In thinking of him, I put together my favorite pictures showing the silly, cute side of my sweet husband:

Costume Drama

[I wrote this yesterday morning. Things have changed since then. Continue reading to find out how!]

And the winner is . . . the pirate costume! Here's how it happened (see the "Halloween Costumes" post for background info): Last week Friday Justin and I were supposed to meet somebody after I got off work, but she cancelled at the last minute. So after chilling a bit, we went back to Party City to try on costumes. Only, when we got there, they were closing in a couple minutes! My coworker had given me the wrong closing time. I didn't want to make a rush decision, so I put the costume on hold.

The next day, one girl kept trying on a million costumes but couldn't find one that fit and she liked. She chose the pirate one in a small size. No more left--except mine. So I gave it to them and they ended up buying it. It wasn't until that moment that I realized how much I really did like it. I was in such a sad mood after that!

After work I went into the back to look for costumes for me and Justin to try on. I checked the box of the pirate costumes just in case (the guys are notorious for overlooking costumes) and I found another small in the back of the box! Woohoo! I kinda felt bad that the girl got the one I already wore, but oh well!

I tried on a few more and we got it down to the pirate or the rag doll. I loved the firewoman one, but didn't want to spend $40 on it. (Good news: I found it at Target for $25! If it's still there after Halloween, I'm so buying it for next year.) The "Cruise Cutie" costume Justin didn't like. And actually, although you all loved it, it was my least favorite. The small was too loose; I tried the XS yesterday and couldn't even put it on. (The sizes are so weird. I wear a junior small for the rag doll and it fits perfectly, but some adult smalls are loose on women larger than me and some are so tight I can hardly put them on!) The rag doll one I get so many compliments on (I've worn it 3 times now), but it's too expensive and short. So the pirate one won: $35 for the dress, tights, arm warmers, hip wrap, and headband. And it's comfortable and cute. I'm wearing it today and tomorrow.

Justin ended up getting an Indiana Jones jacket and hat with a whip for next year. He looks so cute! I wish he were here on Halloween and we had a party to go to so we could wear our costumes.

[Now the update:]

Yesterday morning I tried on the whole costume and HATED it! The fishnet stockings did not look good on me. I still think the dress and headband are cute on me, but the colors and style are not me. I don't know what I was thinking when I bought it.

After my shift, I debated over what I should exchange my costume for. It took me 1 1/2 hours to decide (yeah, I am terrible at making decisions!). I got it down to the rag doll, since everyone loved it, and the Kandy Korn witch, which I thought was really cute. They are the same price.

I decided on the Kandy Korn witch. I like it better than the rag doll because it is more modest and versatile, thus worth the price: I can wear the costume as intended (dress, hat, stockings--with shorts, of course), the dress over pants, or the hat by itself. I love the Halloween colors, too. Plus, since only Jr. M/L was left, there's some room for growth. haha. I think I looked adorable (except in this photo), and I got as many compliments on it today as I do with the rag doll. Yay! I am happy with my decision. Sadly, since the housing complex had trunk-or-treating and a Halloween party last night, no trick-or-treaters came tonight so I was all prepared for nothing. Oh, well.

p.s. More photos on Facebook of my other costumes!

Quick Rebuttal

For all those who commented on my rant and rave post about customers:

1. The customer is not always right in retail. If they're planning a wedding or getting a haircut, then yes, they are right, because those things are a matter of personal opinion. Even so, wedding planners and hair stylists are there to give advice. For my job, there is nothing to be right about. We either have something or we don't. The return policy is the same. Sizes vary according to costume. The end.
2. I know exactly how customers feel--I am one! As I wrote in the post, this is my first time on the other side of the fence. Now I understand how workers feel and I try to be a nicer shopper. That's all I was saying.
3. People really are stupid. Other customers admit it too when they see someone do or say something really dumb. In fact, one lady even apologized to me later after we had a misunderstanding.
4. I am very patient and polite with customers, so much so that I sell a lot, am given lots of compliments from customers, and was even offered a tip once. I wrote the blog to vent to my friends instead of yelling at customers. I wasn't expecting such unsympathetic replies.

People are S-T-U-P-I-D!

Sorry, I need to vent. I've never worked retail before my current job, and the only other customer service job I've had was three years ago at Baskin Robbins. I love my job, but now I feel like the camel waiting for the last straw to break it's back. People are just so stupid, I want to yell at them and punch them in the face! Quick background: I work at the costume wall and Halloween area at Party City. When it gets busy, I stand on a stepladder and use a walkie-talkie to communicate with the backroom for costume calls. At the wall, I clearly and loudly say every five minutes or so, "If you need a costume, please form a line here and tell me the size and number." Yesterday, I added, "All sizes are listed on the posters." People just don't get it. This is what I wish I could scream at them:

1. Do you know what a line means? Seriously.
2. Don't assume that after you tell me the costume, you can go away. This is not McDonald's; we don't call out your number. If you want a response, then stay in line until I tell you where to get the costume! I hate hollering at you. And don''t get mad at me if I won't help you once you leave the line. Sorry!
3. I don't know what size your kids are. I don't shop for them and do their laundry. I don't know their age, height, and weight. If you, their own parent, don't know, then what makes you think I do? And check the posters to see what sizes the costumes come in instead of giving me nonexistent sizes.
4. If a costume is not on the wall, then we don't have it. Just because you found it online, doesn't mean our store has it. If a poster is covered up, we are out of that costume. Duh.
5. How would you feel if I came over to your house, touched everything, tried everything on, threw everything on the floor, stepped on and broke your stuff, and then left?
6. If you're not looking to buy, then get your grubby hands off the merchandise! It's not a playground or modeling studio.
7. Watch your bratty kids! If they don't know how to behave themselves in public, leave them at home!
8. Just because you said "Excuse me" doesn't mean I'm going to ignore the customer I'm currently helping and give you all my attention. Wait your turn!
9. Is it so hard to put something back where you found it? If it's too high up or the hanger is broken, leave it neatly on the shelf, not on the floor!
10. You complain to me how ripped and smelly and destroyed the costumes look while I watch you stuff one that is too small back into the package, breaking the bag while you're at it, with one hand holding your drink that you will forget in another aisle, and spilling the accessories all over the floor to accidentally run over with your cart or foot. Hmmm.

Please, readers, next time you shop anywhere, don't be stupid! Read the signs, ask questions politely, wait patiently, don't be mad at the workers for something that is not their fault, treat the merchandise carefully, and be respectful. Thanks!

p.s. In case you haven't figured it out yet, the customer service you receive is a reflection of the attitude you give.

Haircut

Thursday I finally got my haircut! I was going to wait until I could afford to go to Rolf's salon again (where I got my hair done in May, the last time I cut it), but we got coupons in the mail for Great Clips, so I went with Justin. My hair was just getting too long and wild and hard to take care of. The lady who did my hair was great. I showed her pictures of my last haircut. She got it done right and fast. I had to straighten it myself at home, so it's not as pretty looking as my last haircut, but it's definitely cute! Justin's haircut came out nice as well. His hair was so long and curly, especially his sideburns. I'm glad we both went and got great deals and great results!

Halloween Costumes

I'm still alive! I'm doing better, but still congested, coughing, and sneezing. However, my spunkiness and speed are back at work (my boss and coworkers noticed a big difference while I was sick!).

I'm trying to decide on a Halloween costume even though I am doing absolutely nothing for Halloween. Our ward is not having a party because Stake Conference is that weekend. I don't know if the schools are doing anything, and even so, they're usually geared toward kids. I work Halloween. I have no friends, so I'm not going to any parties. There is a giant clean party for singles, but obviously I don't qualify for that. And Justin won't be with me that weekend anyway. I'm hoping there will still be trick-or-treaters when I get off work at 7 so I can dress up and pass out candy. I love seeing kids in costumes!

I've been wearing a costume every day at work for the past two weeks (for photos, click here). At first I only wore accessories, such as cat ears, until one day Saturday when I was told I was allowed to wear a full costume. I loved it so much that I asked my manager if I could wear one everyday, and she said yes. When I am ever going to get the oportunity again to wear any costume I want for free? As for buying one, I got it down to 4 options:

1. "Hot Stuff"
Plus: It's a lot longer on me than on the model and it flatters my figure!
Minus: Not worth the price, even with a 30 percent discount. And I still have to wear shorts underneath.


2. "Cruise Cutie"
Plus: Totally adorable and original! Very modest.
Minues: Price again. And it's white--I am guaranteed to ruin it! Also, the hat doesn't stay on and the dress is a bit big (but they do have an XS I could try on).


3. "Jewel of the Sea"
Plus: So cute on me! Very comfortable and affordable.
Minus: Still have to wear shorts. A little too punk for my taste. Tempted to buy a million pirate accessories!

4. "Rag Doll"
Plus: By far the cutest on me. (I forgot to take a picture that day because I was rushed during closing time. Just imagine me in it with full-length stockings and no wig or platforms.)
Minus: Price--just the costume is $50. Plus I would have to buy full-length stockings (wearing shorts underneath) or bloomers (cute, but where to get them?) because the skirt is barely a skirt.

Right now I'm leaning toward #3. What do you think?

Still Sick

Of course, the one week I actually get a lot of hours. I better be better tomorrow! And not only because it's pizza day at work. ;0)

Sick

Something's being going around work, and I got it. I started feeling a bit under the weather on Tuesday, but just thought it was due to allergies. However, yesterday my throat was really sore and I couldn't stop coughing. After work, I started crying. Everything was sore! Then I couldn't sleep at all last night, even with taking medicine, so I've been napping all day. I feel so crummy. I just hope I'm better by tomorrow so I can go back to work.

p.s. I wore a totally cute rag doll costume at work yesterday (the full deal, not over my clothes as usual) and forgot to take a picture. Sad! I guess I'll have to wear it again, if I can find the stockings I already wore so I don't have to open a new pair.

Harvey and Hillbilly Joe

We carved our pumpkin with our friends after church today. They named theirs Harvey, and Justin named ours Hillbilly Joe. (I hope he picks better names when we have children! jk)

Corn Maze

Friday night Justin and I went on a date to the farmer's market, where they had a corn maze, pumpkins, and other activities. It took us about a little over an hour to go through the corn maze. There were six posts hidden throughout the maze with uniquely shaped hole punchers. It took us forever to find one, but after we did, we found the rest more easily.

After our adventure, we rode the kiddy train around the farm, which was actually really fun! Then we milked a fake cow, raced in pedal go-karts, played on the playground, visited some chicks, and picked our perfect pumpkin. (Our friends, the Eatons, are coming over tomorrow afternoon to carve pumpkins.) We bought some Halloween cookies before heading home to watch Pirates of the Caribbean. We didn't get very far before falling asleep. We were so tired! It was a really fun date.

It's a good thing today was laundry day: all our clothes smelled like poopy farm animals!

For more photos click here.

It's Autumn Time!

On October 1, I took out all my autumn decorations. So exciting! The wreath above I got for $3 at Goodwill. Isn't it cute? I love the colors. The turkey below I got at the BYU bookstore sophomore year of college. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday!


The leaf candy dish I also got at Goodwill. The little acorn man and "Count Blessings" jar came from the BYU bookstore. If I had more money, I would buy all the cute stuff on sale at my work (Party City).


So, why do I love fall so much?

1. The colors: While in Utah, I really got to experience the fullness of fall, with the green summer trees changing to fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. It's beautiful! Leaves are so lovely. They have a unique shape and a satisfying crunch. And when they all fall off, the trees look spooky and mysterious.
2. The weather: Fall is cool and crisp, but not too cold. I love wearing cozy sweaters and cute jackets. Here in AZ, summer clothes are still in effect. But it's cooler in the mornings and evenings, which means more opportunities to go running. If we weren't in AZ, it would also mean hot chocolate, warm blankets, and blazing fires.
3. The food: I admit I've been using the oven all summer, and we had soup and muffins last week, but now I can do more! I love pumpkins, squash, corn, and other fall harvest foods. And turkey, of course. Pumpkin is my favorite though: bread, muffins, pancakes, pies, fritters, cookies, seeds, etc.
4. The holidays: Halloween is so much fun, with costumes, pumpkin carving, corn mazes, and candy. I'm bummed I have to work that day (and every weekend this month)--no handing out candy and going to parties for me. And I'm most likely going to be alone that whole weekend, because Justin will be in Vegas with his family visiting his sick grandma. Hopefully, we'll be able to go to my home for Thanksgiving. I haven't missed one yet! I love cooking everything with my mom, getting stuffed on delicious food, doing the turkey wobble (a Caruso tradition) with all the kids, and hanging out with the family.

The only things I don't like about autumn time are football, haunted houses, horror films and decorations, and wind. But the good things far outweigh the bad! I leave you with a photo of the luminous harvest moon behind wispy, dark clouds. Happy fall!